What causes numbness in a swollen ankle?

When a body part is injured, sprained, strained, or twisted your body naturally responds by swelling. This is the inflammation of the tissue and muscle around the site of the injury. The numbness is caused by the swollen tissue pressing firmly against the nerve endings in your ankle. This reduces any sensation in that part of your body.

Generally, numbness in a swollen ankle is nothing to be concerned about as the swelling will often compress surrounding nerves. Additionally, the shock of a severe sprain or other injury may cause numbness. Finally, a severely swollen ankle may be broken, in this case the broken bone may be interfering with sensation and should be evaluated by a doctor.

Numbness in a swollen ankle can be caused by many things, depending on what the cause is to the swelling. If your ankle has been injured the numbness can be caused as a result of the injury and swelling itself. Increased fluid on the ankle and lack of movement can result in numbness.

A mass amount of blood goes to engorge the ankle when injured. This causes the feeling and nerves to be pushed aside. Thus your ankle becomes numb. Also another reason could be the lack of blood flow to the ankle. Either way blood is your culprit. Definitely consult a physician.